Check The Vital Input Providers

Tip Category: Online Casinos

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Beyond doubt the heart of the online casino is the software. But there are other inputs as well. In a crunch these inputs can have far reaching consequences and therefore need to be examined. The casual online player would say that the licensor would have probed these input providers before issuing the license so why bother. But the conscientious player should check out to the extent possible the credibility of these input providers.

The Random Number Generator (RNG) is the key to the software. The next card dealt in blackjack or the next number called in roulette should be random and unpredictable. This is achieved through the RNG. The RNG is based on complicated mathematical algorithms. The question arises whether these algorithms truly generate random numbers. There are expert agencies that run millions of trials on the RNG and analyze the results using standard statistical tests to conclude that the numbers generated are random and without bias. This is not a one time test but needs to be performed every month to ensure that bias has not crept into the RNG. Another important function these agencies perform is calculating the actual average payout percentages. This is the amount paid out by the casino for every dollar wagered expressed as a percentage. Players find great comfort when these figures conform to expected payouts because they are assured that they are not being fleeced. Almost all online casinos state that independent auditors perform these tests. Many online casinos give the names of the auditors and display their seals. But the best online casinos publish the monthly reports in the public domain. These reports include the actual average payout percentages for the month calculated for game groups. It is these online casinos that players should patronize, subject to the auditors enjoying good reputation. Some of such auditors are eCOGRA, Technical Systems Testing and iTech Labs.

Just as the fairness of the games needs to be certified by an external agency so does the security of the financial system. Online casinos employ SSL encryption to secure financial transactions during transmission over the Internet. Almost all online casinos state that they have employed the latest security protocols. But the best online casinos use credible agencies to provide the security and upfront state the name of the agency used. They also carry a certificate from that agency that the required security has been provided. This increases the comfort level of the online player. Two of the reputed agencies that carry out this work for online casinos are Thawte and VeriSign and players should look for their logo in the lobby of the casino.

The third important issue is dispute resolution. The dispute has to be resolved by an independent third party. The casino management is an interested party and therefore cannot have the final word. If eCOGRA has given its seal of approval to the online casino then it looks into disputes as well. eCOGRA has appointed a dedicated Fair Gaming Advocate who handles disputes in a expeditious and transparent manner. eCOGRA has also provided a clear mechanism for dispute resolution. However if the casino is not approved by eCOGRA then it should state very clearly who will arbitrate the disputes, what the mechanism will be and what information they will make available to the arbitrator. If this information is not provided then avoid the online casino.